Fishing Report
Reported by Capt. Sherrie Stovall on
February 4, 2008
Sebatian Inlet Offshore & Beaches
Surf
Let’s hope the curse of the Red Tide is behind us now as many fishermen are ready for long awaited pompano bite. Strong wind conditions are keeping the surf churned up and bringing in small rafts of weeds. Get out early for the morning bite while the surf is clean and the winds are at bay.
Try anchoring a few rods into the sand from Satellite beach all the way down to Sebastian Inlet. The fish are on the move and once a few schools are located, it is easier to stay in them for the day. Many of the deep water holes and the offshore bars should be the first target to hit with your rigs. I am sure several of you take more than one rod with you to the beach, so stagger the other casts inside to see where the fish might be. Further is usually better, but who are we to tell the fish they must only stay in the deeper water?
Start fishing with sand fleas and shrimp at first and as the tide changes or if the water is dirty cut up some fresh clams for added scent. There are several scented artificial baits for those who want to try something new. Berkley has a Gulp series of scented Sand fleas available in Root beer, pink, or natural color ranging in size form 1-2 inches. Fish Bites also makes bait scented like shrimp, crab and clam in natural, chartreuse, pink and orange colors. Look to bag a few other species while fishing in the surf like Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, whiting and a redfish might even surprise you.
Sebastian Inlet
Snook season is finally open again starting February 1. The snook fishing was really hard to pin point during the 07’ season. I do not hold the key to the 08’ season; so try every thing in your bag of tricks at the star with. Schools of bait have not really been in the inlet and that may change after my report is published, so my predication is any thing can happen at any moment.
The shrimp are beginning to float out of the river at night on the out going tides and they really turn the snook on. It is a blast to dip fresh shrimp out of the water. They make a great compliment to dinner along with a snook fillet. Dipping shrimp is best from the catwalks and along the L-dock on the south side of the inlet. These are the prime snook spots too, so every one play nice with each other.
Offshore
Many of us are getting that offshore itch and just need to feel some of that fine salt mist on our face. We have be land based for many weeks now and need a small window of calm weather to open up. Large schools of kingfish have been located several miles outside of the inlet along the beaches and further out towards the pines reef in 50-70ft. of water. Most of the fish caught in the schools are ranging around 12-18 lbs. Drop a blue runner back on a flat line or send him down deep to find the larger kings that might be hanging on the outer edges of the schools of fish.King spoons and deep-lipped plugs trolled at about 5-6 knots behind the boat will help key in on where the schools of mackerel are. Keep a watch on the bottom recorder when a strike occurs mark the spot. Make a sweep around and see if more fish appear on the recorder. It may be a lone straggler or the recorder may light up like a ball of sunshine.
Setting out a few live baits on the surface around the school of fish is going to make for some heated action. Do not set out more baits than anglers or you will find that the boat in utter chaos as every one begins to do a ribbon-weaving dance with the rods trying to untangle lines. Nothing gets the blood flowing more then several hook ups at one time. And in the middle of all this action, look for the occasional Cobia to make a pass by the boat to see what all the fuss is about. That is when the heat really turns up and your skills get put to the test. Who has a spare rod loaded up to pitch out?
Several Cobia have been caught while working the king schools. Known as Lemonfish or Ling, they sure make for a nice addition to the dinner table. I do not know a single person who does not get excited about catching a cobia. The average fish is 20-40 lbs and a legal fish is over 33 inches fork length. Cobia seems to come back to life right as the gaff is driving home. Get a good grip on the hook, clear a path and hang on!
We always host a Cobia Tournament running the entire month of March at Whitey’s. The entry fee is $20 per person and lasts the entire month of March. The daily results along with the rules and prizes will be posted on our website at whiteysonline.com. Check the daily leader board along with pictures during the tournament. Stop by the bait shop on your way to go fishing and take part in an exciting and very competitive tournament.
Both the grouper and snapper are gathering in preparation for their spawn. There has been some good bottom action by anchoring on the reefs and using shiny live bait. I have even heard that the skipjacks as some call them “horn belly’s” have caught some of the larger red snapper. I guess you never know what they will eat when it comes down to it.
Try to locate some new bottom spots by dropping a chicken rig with squid on it down at first. If a few sea bass or triggerfish bite, it might be worth spending some time on the hook to see if any of the big guys are home.
There is a lot to think about this month, do I fish the beach for pompano, stalk a few trout and reds on the flats, or do I load the boat up and head offshore and maybe sneak in a dive before lobster season closes……. Isn’t it great to live in Florida!
Reported by Capt. Sherrie Stovall on
February 4, 2008
Sebatian Inlet Offshore & Beaches
Surf
Let’s hope the curse of the Red Tide is behind us now as many fishermen are ready for long awaited pompano bite. Strong wind conditions are keeping the surf churned up and bringing in small rafts of weeds. Get out early for the morning bite while the surf is clean and the winds are at bay.
Try anchoring a few rods into the sand from Satellite beach all the way down to Sebastian Inlet. The fish are on the move and once a few schools are located, it is easier to stay in them for the day. Many of the deep water holes and the offshore bars should be the first target to hit with your rigs. I am sure several of you take more than one rod with you to the beach, so stagger the other casts inside to see where the fish might be. Further is usually better, but who are we to tell the fish they must only stay in the deeper water?
Start fishing with sand fleas and shrimp at first and as the tide changes or if the water is dirty cut up some fresh clams for added scent. There are several scented artificial baits for those who want to try something new. Berkley has a Gulp series of scented Sand fleas available in Root beer, pink, or natural color ranging in size form 1-2 inches. Fish Bites also makes bait scented like shrimp, crab and clam in natural, chartreuse, pink and orange colors. Look to bag a few other species while fishing in the surf like Bluefish, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, whiting and a redfish might even surprise you.
Sebastian Inlet
Snook season is finally open again starting February 1. The snook fishing was really hard to pin point during the 07’ season. I do not hold the key to the 08’ season; so try every thing in your bag of tricks at the star with. Schools of bait have not really been in the inlet and that may change after my report is published, so my predication is any thing can happen at any moment.
The shrimp are beginning to float out of the river at night on the out going tides and they really turn the snook on. It is a blast to dip fresh shrimp out of the water. They make a great compliment to dinner along with a snook fillet. Dipping shrimp is best from the catwalks and along the L-dock on the south side of the inlet. These are the prime snook spots too, so every one play nice with each other.
Offshore
Many of us are getting that offshore itch and just need to feel some of that fine salt mist on our face. We have be land based for many weeks now and need a small window of calm weather to open up. Large schools of kingfish have been located several miles outside of the inlet along the beaches and further out towards the pines reef in 50-70ft. of water. Most of the fish caught in the schools are ranging around 12-18 lbs. Drop a blue runner back on a flat line or send him down deep to find the larger kings that might be hanging on the outer edges of the schools of fish.King spoons and deep-lipped plugs trolled at about 5-6 knots behind the boat will help key in on where the schools of mackerel are. Keep a watch on the bottom recorder when a strike occurs mark the spot. Make a sweep around and see if more fish appear on the recorder. It may be a lone straggler or the recorder may light up like a ball of sunshine.
Setting out a few live baits on the surface around the school of fish is going to make for some heated action. Do not set out more baits than anglers or you will find that the boat in utter chaos as every one begins to do a ribbon-weaving dance with the rods trying to untangle lines. Nothing gets the blood flowing more then several hook ups at one time. And in the middle of all this action, look for the occasional Cobia to make a pass by the boat to see what all the fuss is about. That is when the heat really turns up and your skills get put to the test. Who has a spare rod loaded up to pitch out?
Several Cobia have been caught while working the king schools. Known as Lemonfish or Ling, they sure make for a nice addition to the dinner table. I do not know a single person who does not get excited about catching a cobia. The average fish is 20-40 lbs and a legal fish is over 33 inches fork length. Cobia seems to come back to life right as the gaff is driving home. Get a good grip on the hook, clear a path and hang on!
We always host a Cobia Tournament running the entire month of March at Whitey’s. The entry fee is $20 per person and lasts the entire month of March. The daily results along with the rules and prizes will be posted on our website at whiteysonline.com. Check the daily leader board along with pictures during the tournament. Stop by the bait shop on your way to go fishing and take part in an exciting and very competitive tournament.
Both the grouper and snapper are gathering in preparation for their spawn. There has been some good bottom action by anchoring on the reefs and using shiny live bait. I have even heard that the skipjacks as some call them “horn belly’s” have caught some of the larger red snapper. I guess you never know what they will eat when it comes down to it.
Try to locate some new bottom spots by dropping a chicken rig with squid on it down at first. If a few sea bass or triggerfish bite, it might be worth spending some time on the hook to see if any of the big guys are home.
There is a lot to think about this month, do I fish the beach for pompano, stalk a few trout and reds on the flats, or do I load the boat up and head offshore and maybe sneak in a dive before lobster season closes……. Isn’t it great to live in Florida!
Whitey's Bait & Tackle
321-724-1440
9030 S Highway A1a
Melbourne Beach, FL 32951
www.whiteysonline.com/
Visit our new Whitey's Photo Album site for loads of pictures new and old.
More information, or wish to book an Offshore Charter, please call us on 321-724-1440, or email us: captstovall@whiteysonline.com
Visit our new Whitey's Photo Album site for loads of pictures new and old.
More information, or wish to book an Offshore Charter, please call us on 321-724-1440, or email us: captstovall@whiteysonline.com
